Traction-rack rail for railways.



No. 772,731.. 1 PATBNTED OUT. 18, 1904. E. G.,MORGAN. I v

TRAGTION RACK RAIL POR RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED DBG. 3, 1903.

No MODEL.

y Wi-was; i y/MMM i Patented october 1s, i904.

UNITED STATESV PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND C.- MORGAN, lor CI-I-ICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNOR To MORGAN ELECTRIC MACHINE COMPANY, or EAST CHICAGO, INDIANA, A CORPORATION oiry wEsI VIRGINIA TRAoTloN-RAOK RAIL FOR RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATIONformng part of LettersrPatent No. 772,731, dated October 18, 1904. Y

Application led December 3, 1903.

T0 all whom, it. may concern:

Beit known that I, EDMUND C. MORGAN, a citizen of .the United States, residing at Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Traction- Rack lRail ,for Railways, of whichthe followployed and is arranged to be engaged by gearing carried by the truck or car and operated by suitable motor thereon for causing the truck to move along the track and wherein such traction-rack is so arranged as to be placed in the road-bed without offering undue obstruction in the surfaceof theroad-bed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a traction-rack in the road-bed o1 a railroad in which means are provided for preventing the traction-rack from becoming clogged with accumulated dirt.

A further object of the invention is to provide a traction-rack in the road-bed of a railroad wherein accumulations of dirt, dust, or the like may be readily removed.

' Other `objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

rlhe invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure l is a view inv Serial No.,183,580. (No model.) 'A

edge view of the traction-rack shown in Fig. 2. Figa Is a broken view, in longitudinal section, on the line 4 4, Fig. l. of a portion of of a traction-rack in accordance with the prinoiples of my invention.

p The same part is designated by the saine reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the construction of railroads, and espelcially street-car lines, mine-haulage roads, and the like, where heavy grades are encounteredit frequently occurs that under ordinary conditions the weight `of the car or' truck is in, suflicient to'ali'ord the desired degree of traction for the motor or locomotiveto haul the car or train up the grade. It is among the la road-bed, showing the application thereto ssl special purposes of my present invention to tion-rack and arranging the samein the roadbed it is desirable that the traction-rack be so placed as to avoid oering undue obstruction to persons, or animals using the street or to the wheels of vehicles or the like. Itis also desirable to provide means whereby the traction-rack 'is prevented from becoming clogged or filled with accumulations of dirt, dust, snow, ice, or the like. It is among the special purposes of my invention to accomplish these desirable objects and in a simple and `eiiicient manner.

In carrying out my invention I employ sheet-metal plates or bars A, having holes or openings B punched or otherwise formed therethrough and suitably spaced apart throughout the length of the bars or plates to form a rack to receive the teeth or`cogs of a gear which is to be mounted upon the truck and driven in any suitable manner, whereby the truck is advanced along the road-bed. The

gether by means of fish -plates C, suitably lapped across the joint between adjacent bars or plates A and securely bolted or otherwise secured to each plate by means of bolts D or otherwise. In practice I place the fish-plates C upon the under side of the plates or bars A, and the securing-bolts D pass transversely through openings formed through said plate A and fish-plate C. Preferably, and in order to avoid the undue projection of the heads of the bolts above the surface of the plates or bars A, said plates or bars A, through which the securing-bolts D pass, are countersunk, as clearly indicated in Fig. 3, to receive therein the heads of the bolts D. I do not desire, however, to be limited in this respect.

E designates the track-rails of the road-bed` and the traction-rack bars A are placed in position to extend parallel with respect to the track-rails and in suitable relation with respect thereto. In the particular form shown, towhich, however, I do not desire to be limited, the traction-rack is placed between the track-rails E and substantially flush, as shown in Fig. l, with the filling F, forming the road-bed between the track-rails. In praetice I propose to support the traction-rack upon the edges of suitably-spaced supporting plates or strips G, the latter resting on edge upon stringers H, lying upon the track-railsupporting ties J. In this manner a box-like opening or conduit K is provided underneath the traction-rack, into which may fall any dirt, dust, snow, ice, stones, or the like which may be deposited upon the tractionrack, thereby affording means for preventing the traction-rack openings D from becoming clogged. The arrangement above described brings the traction-rack substantially .Hush with the top surface of the filling forming the-road-bed between the traction-rails, thereby avoiding any undue raised obstruction in the surface of the road-bed.

While I have suggested in the foregoing that a traction-rack embodying the principles of my invention is especially adapted for use on roads encountering heavy grades in order to afford means for propelling the ear, train, or the like up the grade, it is obvious that the principles of my invention may be equally well adapted for use in connection with level tracks.

In the case of the use of a traction-rack embodying my invention it may become desirable to clean out the accumulated dirt, rocks, stones, or the like which may in the course of time become deposited in the box or conduit K. This cleaning out may be effected by fiushing such conduit. In Fig. II I have indicated the use of a traction-rack embodying my invention in connection with a grade, and I have shown a catch-basin L, with which the conduit K communicates, said catch-basin being provided with a usual manhole plate or cover M and communicating through a grating N or otherwise with a sewer O. 'Ihus by forcing a volume of water through the conduit K the same may be iiushed out, and hence cleaned of accumulations of dirt, dust, and the like, if necessary.

It is obvious that a traction-rack system embodying the principles of my invention may be employed in any ease for propelling` a car, locomotive, or train along a track, with the traction-gearing constantly engaging the traction-rack and driven by the motor on the truck, car, or locomotive; but in the special uses of my invention for grades encountered in street-car, mine-haulage, or other roads it is obvious that the ear, truck, or locomotive may be equipped to drive the ordinary traction-wheels on the track-rails along level places, while the traction-rack is employed only on grades. In such event the drivinggear which cooperates with the traction-rmtk may be arranged to be moved into and out of engagement with the traction-rack when the portion of the road which is provided with the traction-rack is encountered.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In an apparatusof the class described, a traction-rack comprising plates or bars arranged end to end. and having suital )ly-spaced openings therethrough, in combination with fish-plates lapped over the joint at the abutting ends of said plates or bars, and bolts for clamping said plates or bars and fish-plates, said plates or bars having countersunk-scats to receive the heads of said bolts, as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of December, 1,903, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

EDMUND C. MORGAN.

Witnesses:

E. C. SEMrLn, S. E. DARBY.

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